Method for the preparation of (cis-1 2 - epoxypropyl)phosphonic acid derivatives

ABSTRACT

METHOD FOR PREPARING (CIS-1,2-EPOXYPROPYL) PHOSPHONIC DI-HALIDES, (CIS-1,2-EPOXYPROPYL) PHOSPHONIC ACID ESTERS AND (CIS-1,2-EPOXYPROPYL)PHOSPHONIC ACID SALTS WHICH COMPRISES TREATING A(2-HYDROXYVINYL)ONIUM HALIDE, METHYLCARBONATE (OR METHYLSULFITE) ESTER WITH A REAGENT CAPABLE OF EFFECTING RING CLOSURE WHERE IN THE TERM &#34;ONIUM&#34; INCLUDES A RADICAL SELECTED FROM SULFONIUM, AMMONIUM, SULFOXONIUM OR PHOSPHONIUM. THE (CIS-1,2-EPOXYPROPYL) PHOSPHONIC DI-HALIDES, (CIS-1,2-EPOXYPROPYL)PHOSPHONIC ACID ESTERS AND (CIS-1,2-EPOXYPROPYL)PHOSPHONIC ACID SALTS THUS OBTAINED HAVE UTILITY AS INTERMEDIATES WHICH MAY BE CONVERTED TO (CIS-1,2-EPOXYPROPYL)PHOSPHONIC ACID. THE (CIS-1,2-EPOXYPROPYL)PHOSPHONIC ACID AND ITS SALT DERIVATIVES ARE USEFUL AS ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND INHIBIT THE GROWTH OF GRAM-POSITIVE AND GRAM-NEGATIVE PATHOGENIC BACTERIA.

United States Patent O METHOD FOR THE PREPARATION OF (ClS-l,2 EPOXYPROPYDPHOSPHONIC ACID DERIVATIVES Raymond A. Firestone, Fanwood, N.J., assignor to Merck & (30., Inc., Rahway, NJ. No Drawing. Filed Feb. 3, 1969, Ser. No. 796,177 Int. Cl. C07f 9/38 US. Cl. 260-348 R 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Method for preparing (cis-1,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic di-halides, (cis-1,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic acid esters and (cis-1,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic acid salts which comprises treating a [2-hydroxyvinyl1onium halide, methylcarbonate (or methylsulfit'e) ester with a reagent capable of effecting ring closure wherein the term onium includes a radical selected from sulfonium, ammonium, sulfoxonium or phosphonium. The (cis-1,2-epoxypropyl) phosphonic di-halides, (cis-1,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic acid esters and '(cis-1,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic acid salts thus obtained have utility as intermediates which may be converted to (cis-1,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic acid. The (cis-1,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic acid and its salt derivatives are useful as antimicrobial agents and inhibit=the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative pathogenic bacteria.

This invention relates to a novel method for the preparation of (cis-1,2epoxypropyl)phosphonic di-halides and (cis-1,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic acid esters and salts (I, infra) via the reaction of a [2-hydroxyvinyl1onium halide, methyl carbonate (or methylsulfite) ester (II, infra) with a ring closing reagent selected from an alkyl phosphonic di-halide, a tri-substituted phosphite or an alkali metal phosphonate. The term onium. includes radicals selected from sulfonium, sulfoxonium, ammonium, phosphonium and the like. The temperature at which the reaction is conducted depends on the particular ring closure reagent chosen and varies from the low temperature range of 20 to +10 C. when a phosphonic dihalide is the ring closing reagent, which reaction is usually run in the absence of a solvent, up to about 80 C. when the ring closing reagent is a tri-substituted phosphite or a di-alkali metal phosphonate. Any solvent which is inert to the reactants may be employed as the diluent, for example, ether solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, diethyl ether, and the like. The following equation illustrates the process of this invention:

T CHaCH CHP wherein A is carbon or sulfur; R is an onium cation which includes radicals selected from di-lower alkyl sulfonium such as dimethylsulfonium and the like, dilower alkyl-sulfoxonium such as dimethylsulfoxonium and the like, tri-lower alkylammonium such as trimethylammonium and the like, or triarylphosphonium such as triphenylphosphonium and the like; X is a halo anion such as bromo, chloro, and the like; Y is halo such as chloro, bromo and the like, a radical of the formula: O-R, wherein R is straight or branched chain alkyl, for example, straight or branched chain lower alkyl such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl and the like, lower alkenyl such as allyl and the like, aralkyl, for example, mononuclear aralkyl such as benzyl and the like, aryl, for example, mononuclear aryl such as phenyl and the like or a radical of the formula: OM, wherein M is the cation derived from an alkali metal such as sodium, potassium and the like; Y is hydroxy, halo or a radical of the formula: OR, wherein R is as defined above; Y is halo, a radical of the formula: OM, wherein M is as defined above, or a radical of the formula: OR, wherein R is as defined above, and Z is hydrogen, M or R, wherein M and R are as defined above.

The (cis 1,2 epoxypropyl)phosphonic di-halides and (cis 1,2 epoxypropyl)phosphonic acid esters prepared according to this invention are useful as intermediates in the synthesis of (i) and ()(cis1,2-epoxypropyl) phosphonic acid and its salts. The (i) and (cis-1,2- epoxypropyl)phosphonic acid and its salts are antimicrobial agents which have utility in inhibiting the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. The form and particularly the salts of (cis-1,2- epoxypropyl)phosphonic acid such as the sodium and calcium salts, are active against Bacillus, Escherichia, Staphylococci, Salmonella and vProteus pathogens, and anti-biotic-resistant strains thereof. Illustrative of such pathogens are Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella schottmuelleri, Salmonella gallinarum, Salmonella pullorum, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus morganii, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pyo genes. Thus, (i) and ()(cis-l,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic acid and the salts thereof can be used as antiseptic agents to remove susceptible organisms from pharmaceutical, dental and medical equipment and can also be used in other areas subject to infection by such organisms.

In effecting the conversion of the instant (cis-1,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic di-halides to (cis-1,2-epoxypropyl) phosphonic acid or its salts, it is only necessary to treat the former with a suitable hydrolyzing agent as, for example, with water or with an aqueous solution of an organic or inorganic acid or base. However, alkaline hydrolysis is particularly suitable inasmuch as it not only affords a method for the preparation of the pharmacologically active salts of (cis-1,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic acid but, from a preparative standpoint, also serves to neutralize the hydrogen halide which is liberated during the reaction and which, under normal operating conditions, tends to attack the epoxide ring. Suitable alkaline reagents include, for example, the alkali and alkaline earth metal carbonates, bicarbonates, oxides and hydroxides or organic bases and the like.

The ester derivatives of (cis-1,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic acid may be converted to (cis-l,2-epoxypro-pyl)- phosphonic acid or its salts by various methods, including treatment with an aqueous solution of a mineral acid, such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid under carefully buffered conditions, by hydrogenolysis, by treatment with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal'hydroxide or by treatment with trimethylchlorosilane'followed by aqueoushydrolysis, with the method of choice depending upon the particular ester being cleaved.

The [2-hydroxyvinyl1onium halide, methyl carbonate (or methylsulfite) ester intermediates (II, infra) which are employed in the preparation of the (cis-1,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic di-halides and .(cis-'1',2-epoxypropyl)- phosphonic acid esters and salts (1, supra) are obtained by treating a (Z-hydroxyvinyDonium halide alkali metal salt (III, infra) with methyl chlorocarbonate or methyl chlorosulfite, respectively. The. reaction is conveniently conducted by mixing the reagents'below 15 C. in an appropriate inert solvent, for example, an ether solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, in dioxane and the like, or in 1,2-dimethoxyethane and the like. The product is then isolated by removing the solvent from the reaction mixture and diluting the residue with water. The pH of the aqueous solution is adjusted to 6 and the unwanted material is removed by washing the water solution with diethyl ether followed by the removal of the water to afford the desired product. The following equation illustrates this method of preparation:

wherein A, X and R are as defined above; and M is the cation derived from an alkali metal such as a sodium or potassium cation and the like and X is halo such as chloro and the like.

The (2-hydroxyvinyl)onium halide alkali metal salts (III, supra) used in the preparation of the [Z-hydroxyvinyl]onium halide, methylcarbonate (or methylsulfite) esters (II, supra) are conveniently prepared by treating a (formylmethyl)onium halide (IV, infra) with an alkali metal hydride. The reaction is conveniently conducted in a temperature range of from about 30 to C. in an ether solvent such as 1,2-dimethoxyethane, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane and the like. The following equation illustrates this method of preparation.

wherein X R O and M are as defined above and MH is a metal hydride such as sodium hydride and the like.

The (formylmethyl)onium halides (IV, infra) are either known compounds or may be prepared by treating a 2,2- (dialkoxyethyl)onium halide (V, infra) which has been dissolved in water, with a mineral acid such as sulfuric acid and the like. The following equation illustrates this method of preparation:

wherein X6 and R are as defined above and R is alkyl, for example, lower alkyl such as methyl, ethyl, propyl and the like. I

The 2,2-(di-alkoxyethyl)onium halides (V, infra) used in the preparation of the (formylmethyDonium halides (IV, supra) may be prepared by reacting a 2,2 -di-alkoxyethyl ptoluenesulfonate (VI, infra) with a nucleophilic agent, followed by the treatment of the 2,2-(di-alkoxyethyl)onium p-toluenesulfonate (VII, infra) formed, with an anion exchange resin, such as a polystyrene amine resin on its halo anion (X cycle, to yield the desired (dialkoxyethyl)onium halide (V, infra). The temperature at which the reaction may be conducted depends on the na ture of the particularnucleophilic agent em'p'loyed.F0r example, the reaction using a di-lower alkyl sulfide is most advantageously run at ambient temperature; when a trilower alkyl amine is used, the reaction may be conducted in a closed vessel at about 100 C., and when the reaction is conducted with a di-lower alkylsulfoxide, the temperaf; 114T? 1'} .t 1" t ture of the reaction may be up to theboiling point of the particular su'lfoxide employediThe following equation'illustrates this method of preparation:

(VII) I Anion Exchangejlesin wherein R X 'and. R? are as defined above and the nucleophilic agent, includes reagents selected vfrom die lower alkyl sulfide such as dimethyl sulfide and the like, di-lower alkyl sulfoxide, such as dimethy sulfoxide and the like or tri-lower alkyl amine, such as trimethylamine and the like. i

The 2,2-(di-alkoxyethyl) p toluene sulfonate (VI, infra) is prepared by reacting a 2,2-di-alkoxy ethanol (VIII, infra) with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride in the presence of a base, for example, an organic base such as pyridine and the like. The reaction is preferably conducted'at. ambient temperature or below ambient temperature. The following equation illustrates this method of preparation:

noomomoaa, om-Q-somt (VIII) l I Y CHg-Q-SO CH CHWRFD wherein R is as defined above.

The planar Formula (a) Z OP (Y) is one of two tautomeric structures by which the phosphite and phosphonate reactants of this invention may be illustrated; however, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that because of tautomerization said formula can also 'be depicted as (b) T Z -P (Y); as shown below:

wherein Z is hydrogen oran alkali metal cation and Y is defined above. In this specification both the trivalent phosphite (a) and the pentavalent phosphonates (b) are meant to be included. The instant process is capable of wide modification and it should be apparent to one of ordinary skill that the use of a tautomeric reactant in an otherwise similar process is within the skill of the-artisan to select and does not constitute a departure from this invention.

The designation cis used in describing the 1,2-epoxypropylphosphonic acid compounds means that each of. the hydrogen atoms attached to carbon atoms 1 and 20f the propylphosphonic acid are on the same side of'the oxide ring. t 1

The examples which follow illustrate a method for preparing (cis-1,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic di-halides, (cis- 1,2-.epoxypropyl)phosphonic acid esters and (cis 1,2- epoxypropyl)phosphonic acid salts according tothe process of this invention. However, the examples are illustrative only and it will be apparent to one having ordinary skill that all of the products of the invention may be prepared by substituting the appropriate starting materials for those used in the examples.

EXAMPLE l.(CIS-1,2-EPOXYPROPYL)PHOS- PHONIC DICHLORIDE Q'Step A: 2,2-dimethoxyethyl-p-toluenesulfonate 6 2,2-dimethoxy ethanol (10.0 g., 0.094 mole) is dissolved in pyridine (1 ml.) and treated with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride (17.9 g., 0.094 mole) at 25 C. The pyridine is evaporated in vacuo, the residue is taken up in ether 100 ml.), and the ether solution washed twice with water. After drying the ether solution with sodium sulfate, the ether is removed in 'vacuo and the residue is fractionally distilled under vacuum to yield 2,2-dimethoxyethyl-ptoluene-sulfonate.

Step B: 2,2-dimethoxyethyl dimethylsulfonium chloride 2,2-dimethoxyethyl-p-toluenesulfonate (20.0 g., 0.0716 mole) is treated with dimethyl sulfide (10.0 g., 0.16 mole) under pressure for one week at 25 C., forming (2,2- dimethoxyethyl)dimethylsulfonium p toluenesulfonate, which is purified by evaporating the excess dimethyl sulfide,"followed by recrystallization 'of the residue from methanol. A aqueous solution of (2,2-dimethoxyethyl)dimethylsulfonium p toluenesulfonate is passed through a column containing a twofold molar excess of a polystyrene amine resin on the chloride cycle. =Elution with water provides an aqueous solution of 2,2-dimethoxyethyl dimethylsulfonium chloride. The product is isolated by evaporation of the water and purified by recrystallization from methanol.

. IStep. C: v(Formylmethyl)dimethylsulfonium chloride A 5% solution of 2,2-dimethoxyethy1 dimethylsulfonium chloride (10.0 g., 0.0537 mole) in water (200 g.) is acidified with a trace of sulfuric acid and allowed to stand one hour at C. The acid is neutralized with sodium bicarbonate, the water is removed under reduced pressure, and the residue is dried by adding benzene to make a loose slurry and distilling the benzene. This is repeated twice more to yield substantially pure (formylmethyl)dimethylsulfonium chloride.

Step D: Z-hydroxyvinyl)dimethylsulfonium chloride sodium salt To a suspension of (formylmethyl)dimethylsulfonium chloride (10.0 g., 0.071 mole) in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (100ml) is added sodium hydride (1.68 g., 0.071 mole) to yield (Z-hydroxyvinyl) dimethylsulfonium chloride sodium salt.

Step E: (Z-hydroxy-vinyl)dimethylsulfonium chloride,

I methyl canbonate ester To the suspension of (2-hydroxyvinyl)dimethylsulfonium chloride sodium salt (11.5 g., 0.071 mole) in 1,2- dimethoxyethane (100 ml.) is added methyl chlorocarbonate (6.7 g., 0.071 mole) in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (25 ml.). After a few minutes the reaction is complete and the solvent is'removed. The residue is dissolved in water (1100 ml.) and the pH is adjusted to 6 by the addition of dilute hydrochloric acid. This solution is then washed with ether and the water removed under vacuum, below C., to afford crude (2-hydroxyvinyl)dimethylsulfonium chloride, methyl carbonate ester. The crude product is dissolved in warm methanol and filtered to remove the sodium chloride. Diethyl ether is added to the methanol solution to precipitate the product which is collected by filtration and recrystallized from a mixture of methanol and ether to yield substantially pure (2-hydroxyvinyl) dimethylsulfonium chloride, methyl carbonate ester.

Step F: (Cis-1,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic dichloride To (2-hydroxyvinyl)dimethylsulfonium chloride, methyl carbonate ester (10.0 g., 0.05 mole) at 0 C. is added methoxy dichloro phosphine (6.7 g., 0.05 mole). The reaction mixture is maintained at 0 C. for, 24 hours and then allowed to warm up to 20 C. Fractional distillation of the residue yields (cis-1,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic dichloride. I By substituting for the (formylmethyl)dimethylsulfonuim chloride of Example 1, Step D, an equimolar quantity of (formylmethyl)trimethylammonium chloride or (formylmethyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide and by following substantially the procedure described therein there is obtained respectively (2-hydroxyvinyl)trimethylammonium chloride sodium salt and (2-hydroxyvinyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide salt which, when substituted for the (Z-hydroxyvinyl)dimethylsulfonium chloride sodium salt of Step E, and by following the procedure described therein there is obtained (2 hydroxyvinyl)trimethylamrnonium chloride, methyl carbonate and (2-hydroxyvinyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide, methyl-carbonate ester respectively, which when substituted for the (2-hydroxyvinyl)dimethylsulfonium chloride, methyl carbonate ester of Step E, Example 1, aifords (cis-1,2- epoxypropyl)phosphonic dichloride.

EXAMPL'E 2.DIM ET HYL (CIS-1,2-EPOXY- PROPYL) PHOSPHONATE To (2 hydroxyvinyl)dimethylsulfonium chloride, methyl carbonate ester (10.0 g., 0.05 mole) at 10 C. is added trimethylphosphite (6.2 g., 0.05 mole). The reaction mixture is stirred at 10 C. for 24 hours and then fractionally distilled to yield dimethyl (cis-1,2-epoxypropyl) phosphonate.

EXAMPLE 3.(CIS-l,2-EPOXYPROPYL)- PHOSPHONIC ACID MONOSODIUM SALT To a solution of (2 hydroxyvinyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide, methyl carbonate ester (10.0 g., 0.025 mole) in tetrahydrofuran (50 ml.) is added disodium phosphonate (3.6 g., 0.025 mole). The reaction mixture is refluxed for 5 hours and then the reaction mixture filtered and the solvent removed from the filtrate to yield (cis-1,2- epoxypropyl) phosphonic acid monosodium salt.

EXAMPLE 4.DIBENZIL (CIS-LZ EPOXY- PRO PYL) PHOSPHO NATE To a solution of (2-hydroxyvinyl)trimethylammonium chloride, methyl carbonate ester (10.0 g., 0.05 mole) in tetrahydrofuran is added dibenzyl sodium phosphite (14.2 g., 0.05 mole) in tetrahydrofuran ml.). The solution is refluxed until no more sodium chloride precipitates. The reaction mixture is filtered and the solvent removed from the filtrate to yield dibenzyl (cis1,2-epoxypropyl)phos phonate.

EXAMPLE 5.-(CIS-1,2-EPOXYPROPYL)PHOS- PHONIC DIOHLORIDE Step A: (Z-hydroxyvinyl)dimethylsulfonium chloride, methyl sulfite ester To a suspension of (2 hydroxyvinyl)dimethylsulfonium chloride sodium salt (10.0 g., 0.0618 mole) is added a solution of the methyl chlorosul-fite (6.35 g., 0.0618 mole) in tetrahydrofuran (100 ml.). The mixture is stirred at room temperature for one hour and the solvent removed under vacuum. The residue is dissolved in water (100 ml.) and the pH of the solution is brought to 6 by the addition of dilute hydrochloric acid. The solution is washed with ether and the water removed under vacuum, below 30 C., to yield the crude product. The crude product is dissolved in warm methanol and filtered to remove the sodium chloride. Diethyl ether is added to the methanol solution to precipitate the (2-hydroxyvinyl)dimethylsulfonium chloride, methylsulfite ester.

Step BE (Cis-1,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic '-'dichloride Y To (2 hydroxyvinyl)dirnethylsulfonium chloride methylsulfite est er 10.0 g., 0.0514 mole) at C. is added methoxy dichloro phosphine (6:7 g.,'0.05 mole). The reaction mixture is maintained at 0 C. for 24 hours and then fractionally distilled to yield substantially pure (cis- 1,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic dichloride.

By substituting for the (2-hydroxyvinyl)dimethylsulfonium chloride sodium salt of Step A, Example 5, an equimolar quantity of (2 hydroxyvinyl)dimethylsulfoxonium chloride potassium salt, (2 hydroxyvinyl)trimethylammonium chloride sodium salt or (Z-hydroxyvinyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide sodium salt and by following substantially the procedure described therein, there is obtained respectively (2-hydroxyvinyl)dimethylsulfoxonium chloride, methyl sulfite ester; (2-hydroxyvinyl)trimeth-ylammonium chloride, methyl sulfite ester and (2 hydroxyvinyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide, methyl sulfite ester which products when substituted for (Z-hydroxyvinyl)dimethylsulfonium chloride, methyl sulfite of Step B, Example 5, and by following substantially the procedure described therein, affords (cis-l,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic dichloride.

EXAMPLE 6.(CIS- l ,Z-EPOXYPROPYL) PHOS- PHONIC ACID MONO-POTASSIUM SALT Step A: 2,2-dimethoxyethyl dimethylsulfoxonium chloride 2,2-dimethoxyethyl p-toluenesulfonate (10 g., 0.0358 mole) is heated with dimethylsulfoxide (100 ml.) at 150 C. for 24 hours. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure and the residue recrystallized frommethanol to yield (2,2 dimethoxyethyl)dimethylsulfoxonium ptoluenesulfonate. A aqueous solution of (2,2-dimethoxyethyl)dimethylsulfonium p-toluenesulfonate is passed through a column containing a twofold molar excess of a polystyrene amine resin on the chloride cycle. Elution of the column with water provides an aqueous solution of 2,2-dimeth0xyethyl dimethylsulfoxonium chloride. The product is isolated by removal of the water and recrystallization of the residue from methanol.

Step B: (Formylmethyl)dimethylsulfoxonium chloride A 5% solution of 2,2 dimethoxyethyl dimethylsulfoxonium chloride g., 0.0515 mole) in water (200 g.) is acidified with a trace of sulfuric acid at ambient temperature. The reaction mixture is allowed to stand for one hour and then the solution is neutralized with sodium bicarbonate. The water is removed under reduced pressure and the residue is dried by adding benzene to make a loose slurry and distilling the benzene to yield (formylmethyl)- dimethylsulfoxonium chloride.

Step C: (Z-hydroxyvinyl)dimethylsulfoxonium chloride potassium salt To a suspension of (formylmethyl)dimethylsulfoxonium chloride (10.0 g., 0.064 mole) in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (100 ml.) is added potassium hydride (2.56 g., 0.064 mole) to yield (Z-hydroxyvinyl)dimethylsulfoxonium chloride potassium salt.

Step D: (2-hydroxyvinyl)dimethylsulfoxonium chloride,

methyl carbonate ester To a suspension of (2-hydroxyvinyl)dimethylsulfoxo; nium chloride potassium salt (12.5 g., 0.064 mole) in 1,2-dimethoxyethane 100 ml.) is added methyl chlorocarbonate in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (25 ml.). The reaction is stirred for a few minutes, the solvent is removed, and the residue is dissolved in water (100 rnl.). The pH of the aqueous solution is adjusted to 6 by the addition of dilute hydrochloric acid. This solution is washed with ether and the water removed under reduced pressure,

I '1 below C., to yield 2,2-hydroxyvin yl)dimethylsulfoxonium chloride, methyl carbonate ester.

Step E: (Cis-l,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic acid mono-potassium salt To a solution of (2-hydroxyvinyl)dimethylsulfoxonium chloride, methyl carbonate ester (5.4 g., 0.025 mole) in tetrahydrofuran (50 ml.) is added di-potassium phosphonate (3.28 g., 0.025 mole). The reaction mixture is refluxed five hours and then filtered and the solvent removed from the filtrate to yield (cis-1,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic mono-potassium salt.

Thus by substituting the appropriate alkyl phosphonic dihalide, phosphite or phosphonate for the methylphosphonic dichloride of Step F, Example 1, and by following the procedure described therein all of the products of this invention may be prepared. The following equation illustrates the manner in which the products of Table I may be prepared:

not to be limited by the specific illustrative examples but rather embraces all the variations and modifications thereof which fall within the scope of the foregoing discussion and the appended claims.

We claim: 1. A process for preparing a compound having the formula:

omou-onr wherein Y is hydroxy, halo, or a radical of the formula: OR, wherein R is straight or branched chain alkyl, lower alkenyl, aralkyl or aryl and Y is halo, a radical of the formula: OM, wherein M is the cation derived from an alkali metal, or a radical of the formula: OR, wherein R is as defined above, which comprises treating a compound having the formula:

II X R Cl[=OI-IOACOH3 wherein A is carbon or sulfur; R is di-lower alkylsulfonium, di-lower alkylsulfoxonium, tri-lower alkylammonium or triarylphosphonium, and X is a halo anion, with a compound having the formula:

ZOP (Y) wherein Y is halo, a radical of the formula: OR, wherein R is as defined above or a radical of the formula: OM, wherein M is as defined above, and Z is hydrogen, M or R, wherein M and R are as defined above.

2. A process according to claim 1 for preparing (cisl,Z-epoxypropyl)phosphonic dihalides, which comprises treating a LZ-hydroxyvinyl'jonium halide, methyl carbonate (or methyl sulfite) ester with an alkoxy dihalo phosphine.

3. A process according to claim 1 for preparing (cis- 1,2-epoxypropyl) phosphonic acid esters, which comprises treating a [2-hydroxyvinyl1om'um halide, methyl carbonate (or methyl sulfi'te) ester with a tri-lower alkylphosphite, an alkali metal diaralkylphosphite or a lower alkyl dihalophosphite.

4. A process according to claim 1 for preparing (cis- 1,2-epoxypropyl)phosphonic acid salts, which comprises treating a [2-hydroxyvinyl1onium halide, methyl carbonate (or methyl sulfite) ester with a di-alkali metal phosphonate.

5. A process according to claim 1 for preparing a compound having the formula:

Y1 CHs-CH-OHl wherein Y is hydroxy, halo, or a radical of the formula: OR, wherein R is straight or branched chain alkyl, lower al'kenyl, aralkyl or aryl and Y is halo, a radical of the formula: OM, wherein M is the cation derived from an alkali metal, or a radical of the formula: OR, wherein R is as defined above, which comprises treating a compound having the formula:

i x siLon=olztocoon wherein X is a halo anion, with a compound having the formula:

ZOP (Y)2 wherein Y is halo, a radical of the formula: OR, wherein R is as defined above or a radical of the formula: OM, wherein M is as defined above, and Z is hydrogen, M or R, wherein M and R are as defined above.

6. A process according to claim 1 for preparing a compound having the formula:

CH3-'CH--'OH lWhGI'Cll']. R is lower alkyl, allyl, benzyl or phenyl, which comprises treating a compound of the formula:

1] grene on=ono o0 on;

10 wherein R is dimethylsulfonium, dimethylsulfoxonium, trimethylammonium or triphenylphosphonium and X is a halo anion, With a compound of the formula:

wherein M is a cation derived from an alkali metal, which comprises treating a compound of the formula:

wherein R is dimethylsulfonium, dimethylsulfoxonium, trimethylammonium or triphenylphosphonium and X is a halo anion, with a compound of the formula:

I-IOP wherein M is a cation derived from an alkali metal.

8. A process according to claim 1 for preparing a compound having the formula:

wherein Y and Y are chloro or bromo, which comprises treating a compound having the formula:

0 9 69 I] X RCHCHOCOCH3 wherein R is dimethylsulfonium, dimethylsulfoxonium,

trimethylammonium or triphenylphosphonium and X is a halo anion, with a compound having the formula:

ZOP (Y) .wherein Z is lower alkyl and Y is chloro or bromo.

No references cited.

NORMA S. MILESTONE, Primary Examiner US. 01. X.R. 

